Always up for dog-friendly shopping jaunts, this weekend Kippee and I wandered the quaint historic 
Village of Wauwatosa. Hitting the ground running, our first order of business was a walk around the Tosa Green Market, which is held every Saturday morning and is loaded with fresh produce, artisan meats, breads, bakery, jams, salsas, cheeses, coffee and food stuffs, including a breakfast menu prepared on-site by Maxie’s Southern Comfort. With people mingling, dogs out in full force and kids happily dodging all about, we found this sweet slice of village life a perfect start to a summer Saturday. tosafarmersmarket.com.
After loading up on organics, it was off to Underwood Gallery, a gem of a store filled with colorful, interesting and creative offerings from artists
around the country. Comfortably poking around, I was struck, as always, by the store’s welcoming ambiance, as owner Pamela Anderson treats shoppers to a steady stream of super background music and an ample dose of cheerful charm. Among the artful items that caught my eye were some cool Athena rings from Burgard Studio with interchangeable beads that render them ultra-versatile as well as intricately carved and inlaid bookmarks by Mitercraft made from sustainable woods, which are perfect for those who like to spend time with books. 1430 Underwood Ave., 414-476-1255, underwoodgallery.com.
We popped in Magnolia & Co. for a peek at the premier collection of hand-sewn table linens by 
Krista Callaghan and Kristine Liotta of Boutique Modern. The pair, who became friends while attending architectural school, have always shared a passion for modernism. After years of tossing around the idea of joining up in a creative business endeavor, it was decided that since they often ended up making their own table linens because they
couldn’t find styles as contemporary as they liked, maybe they should design napkins, tablecloths, runners and placemats? And here’s where it gets interesting. Despite the fact that Kristine lives in Milwaukee and Krista in Manhattan, the two personally conceived, produced and brought this first collection to market in just more than six months. Impressive. Celebrating geometric pattern, line and texture, the collection consists of a dozen bold striking designs as well as one-of-a-kind sets they fashion from leftover bits and pieces of fabric. All of it fun, none of it traditional. 1442 Underwood Ave., 414-256-0885, magnoliaandcompany.com.
After delighting in all the color and garden statuary at The Flower Lady (1460 Underwood Ave., 414-259-0999, theflowerlady.com), we stopped in at Juxt to chat a bit with owner Kate Wilfer who does a 
terrific job of scattering really special vintage pieces in and around all the great new home, baby and gift products that fill her fresh bright shop. Currently, she’s pretty excited to offer a line of whimsical hand-stamped, tea-stained gift cards so fun I scooped up quite a few myself. She also sees customers going gaga for stylish babywipe containers a local designer covers with colorful contemporary fabrics and pairs with matching burping cloths. Made exclusively for her store, the sets are such a popular baby shower gift, they practically fly off the shelves.1504 Underwood Avenue, 414-257-1710, juxthomebaby.com.
Next we moved onto Gracie’s Boutique to shop a well-balanced blend of contemporary fashion and accessories alongside a very well edited selection of consignment pieces (1510 Underwood Ave., Wauwatosa, 414-218-2623).
From there we headed to Heinsight, where, while I admired an Italian tote of pony-spotted cowhide trimmed in lipstick red patent leather, 
Kippee met in-store labradoodle, Maggie. Shoppers will find this diminutive store filled with truly boutique leather accessories and fashions like a retro-fitted jacket of exotic printed kittskin with rex fur collar and cuffs that flatters the body like nobody’s business. 7609 W. Harwood Ave., 414-456-9211.
Then it was into Urban Laundry for a peek at all the fun and fashionable stuff they have to offer women on the go. We found the store loaded with dresses (this summer’s must have) as well as lots and lots of jewelry running the gamut from colorfully bold to delicately
sparkly. Kippee, meanwhile, ended all wrapped up in the store’s colorful selection of scarves. 7602 Harwood Ave., 414-257-2770, urban-laundry.com.
As usual, getting a glimpse of something out of the ordinary in the window lured me into Blue Lapin. This time it was the lovely mosaic work done by local artist Penny Stark who fashions ordinary vintage 
watering cans, shovels, trowels, picture frames and cake plates into extraordinary home and garden pieces. Speaking of soaking up the relaxing ambiance of this soothing shop, I also admired a selection of bubble baths from ToykyoMilk – as much for their fun packaging as for their intoxicating scents. 7600 Harwood Ave., 414-443-0977.
From here it was on to Salamander where women of all ages can find expressive contemporary
fashion and accessories. While we were taking a spin around, we ran into Alyssa P., who was shopping for an upcoming trip to Europe and fell in love with a flirty feminine dress designed by Stella Lim for Ryu, which featured black topstitching and plenty of peachy pink ruffles. In addition, with a special cache of fun baby stuff, the store also caters to wee budding fashionistas. 7532 W. State St., 414-259-0970.
Then Kippee and I headed to Authentic Journeys tucked below street level and filled with a true global mix of merchandise. Handmade jewelry, brilliantly hued silk handbags from Vietnam, brightly patterned bowls woven of telephone wires and colorful bamboo coasters certainly make this shop well worth a visit. 7532A W. State St., 414-453-7256, authenticjourneystravel.com.
And finally to cap off our day’s adventure, Kippee and I hung out on the patio of Vino 100 during the store’s Yappy Hour held 3-5 p.m. every Saturday. While dogs nibble free treats and slurp fresh water, owners can sip and nosh and enter to win a free bottle of wine. All in all, a great way to relax in the company of other dog lovers while Kippee socializes with her peeps. 1442 Underwood Ave., 414-456-9463, vino100tosa.com.
CHECK OUT
Celebrating 13 years of bringing intriguing home accessories and gifts to shoppers (first in Chicago and now the Historic Third Ward) Embelezar is running a storewide anniversary sale now through July 25. Save 10 percent off all regularly priced home accessories and gifts as well as special orders, and up to 75 percent on clearance items. 241 N. Broadway St., 414-224-7644.
Now at Harleys: Save 30 and 50 percent off all head-to-toe seasonal men’s fashions during the store’s mid-year sale. 3565 N. Oakland Ave., 414-332-3404, harleys4men.com.
